@Jimbofbx:  You are correct that a value has to be reserved to indicate that the hash hasn't been (or can't be) computed, but python uses -1 instead of zero.

An integer can't return itself because a hash is an unboxed integer; that said, there is a fast path for small enough integers.  You can see the actual code at
http://hg.python.org/cpython/file/388016438a50/Objects/longobject.c#l2581 

Since it is too late for 3.2, I suggest closing this and opening a separate 3.3 issue if the existing improvements are not sufficient.